02-18-2020-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — FEBRUARY 18, 2020 4 Councilmember McClung agreed and explained it may be problematic for residents to have to RSVP in order to attend the event because this has not been required in the past. Councilmember Holmes supported a postcard being sent to all residents in the City for the State of the City. Councilmember Holden commented if a mailing was sent to all residents in the City a larger room may be needed. She indicated the meeting may have to be pushed back to May to allow staff more time to plan for this event and to ensure the large room at Land O'Lakes was available. City Administrator Perrault explained Land O'Lakes was willing to fund a portion of the catering for the event. Councilmember Holden recommended the City pay the entire bill. Mayor Grant supported the $6.99 per person option with coffee and water. He stated he supported the staff recommended topics. City Administrator Perrault made the Council aware that the State of the City event would run slightly over the original budget given the need to pay for the meeting space, CTV and catering. He reported staff was requesting the Council hold a special worksession meeting on April 6tn to review the slideshow presentation for the State of the City. Councilmember Holden suggested the slideshow be forwarded to the Council and that the Council provide staff with feedback prior to the event. C. Spring Tree Sale/Giveaway Discussion GreenCorps Member Mooney -Jones stated at the October 28, 2019 City Council meeting, Councilmember Holmes requested staff to inquire about the DNR tree sapling program in regards to hosting a spring tree giveaway to Arden Hills residents. The DNR through the Minnesota State Forest Nursery sells tree seedlings (1-2 feet tall) in bulk at low cost. However, there is a minimum purchase of 500 trees as these are intended for mass reforestation plantings on a single property and Minnesota State law prohibits the redistribution of the trees by the City to residents. GreenCorps Member Mooney -Jones explained staff found that the City previously collaborated with Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County as they host an annual tree sale. Friends of the Parks and Trails is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that formed to promote the public support and appreciation of regional parks and trails. The program provides the residents of Arden Hills the opportunity to purchase shrubs and 4-6-foot-tall saplings. Friends of the Parks and Trails organizes and operates the tree sale. The City does not participate financially in the sale. Unfortunately, Friends of the Parks and Trails annual tree sale is postponed for this year this as they are reorganizing. They are anticipating to host a tree sale in 2021. GreenCorps Member Mooney -Jones commented staff reviewed adjacent communities that also host tree sales. The majority of cities primarily sell 4-6-foot-tall saplings by 3 different methods: Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County, Tree Trust (another organization